By: Kara Kimbrough Overheard in the supermarket: “ I don’t cook anything with more than five ingredients!”  I waited for the inevitable reply of, “I  won’t spend more than a few minutes cooking ANYTHING!” … words I’ve also heard while shopping for groceries. I didn’t hear it this time, but I’ve talked to enough people to know that short, easy recipes are the only way most (not all) cooks will cook dinner if they’re not already placing a plastic bag of frozen “something” in the microwave. Remarkably, there are thousands of recipes that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes (give or take 10 minutes or so for browning/cooking meat), resulting in a satisfying dinner in no time.  Here are three of my favorites, including the first one that I tried this week. A friend, knowing my love of crispy egg rolls, sent me a healthier, reduced carb and easier version of the fried ones. Easy Egg Rolls in a Bowl 1 pound of ground sausage, turkey chicken or beef (I prefer beef, but use your favorite) 7 cups of coleslaw mix (or make your own using grated fresh cabbage and carrots) 4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce 1 teaspoon of garlic powder ½ cup of green onions, minced, for topping Sweet and sour sauce for topping (optional)    In a large non-stick skillet, cook meat of choice over medium-high heat until well done. Drain grease; to same skillet, add coleslaw, garlic powder and soy sauce; stir well to mix together. Top with green onions and more soy sauce or with sweet and sour sauce. Easiest Spanish Rice and Chicken Dish 2 tablespoons butter 2 cans (14.5 oz. each) diced tomatoes, drained, or 4 cups diced fresh tomatoes 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped 1 green pepper, chopped 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1 cup dry long-grain rice (yellow rice is preferred, but can use white) 2 cups chicken broth 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, cubed (I prefer thin, cooked tenderloins) 1 tablespoon chopped olives    In a non-stick skillet, melt butter, then add tomatoes, onion, pepper, salt and garlic powder.  Cook for about 5 minutes. Add rice and broth.  Cover and cook on low heat until rice is done and broth absorbed. After rice is done, stir in cooked chicken and olives and heat through. Favorite Shrimp-Tomato Pasta Dish 1-pound dry fettuccine pasta 1-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic or 3 garlic cloves ½ sweet onion, cut into wedges 4 tablespoons olive oil 4 medium tomatoes, chopped or 1 14.5-ounce can of chopped tomatoes 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil Salt and pepper to taste 1 cup spinach leaves 1-pound cooked shrimp - peeled and deveined (can substitute two cups of cooked, shredded chicken) 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded   Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender, about 8 minutes; drain. If shrimp is uncooked, boil for 2-3 minutes or until shrimp is bright pink and opaque white throughout.     Meanwhile, combine garlic, onion, and oregano in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion mixture; cook and stir until fragrant and almost golden. Mix in tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes while pasta is cooking, stirring occasionally. Mix in spinach until wilted.      Just before pasta is done, stir in shrimp to skillet ingredients and cook until heated through. Toss together shrimp mixture and pasta in a large serving bowl. Mix in mozzarella cheese. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com .

What: In the Joy of Others: Walk-Run Who: BAPS Charities, Jackson MS When: Saturday August 3, 2024, 3pm onward Where: Liberty Park, Madison MS Details: On August 3,2024, BAPS Charities, Jackson MS, in collaboration with American Cancer Society and Community Foundation for Mississippi, will host its annual "In the Joy of Others: Walk-Run" to support BAPS Charities, American Cancer Society and Community Foundation for Mississippi. This event demonstrates the powerful role residents play in fostering healthy communities, supporting local entities such as fire, police, community organizations, etc. Walkers and runners of all ages will unite to back BAPS Charities, American Cancer Society and Community Foundation for Mississippi in their mission to express a spirit of selfless service, improve the lives of people with cancer and to achieve enduring change in our communities through inclusive philanthropic leadership. An estimated 350 local participants are expected, including State Representative Grace Butler-Washington, State Representative Clay Mansell, Jackson City Councilman Brian Grizzell and other community leaders. The Walk-Run is a reflection of BAPS Charities' commitment to health and wellness, as well as community empowerment. Beyond the annual event, BAPS Charities continually promotes health and well-being through Health Fairs, Health Awareness Lectures, and Children's Health and Safety Days. It also spearheads various social responsibility and humanitarian initiatives, including Blood Donation Drives, Food Drives, and Earth Day activities. Everyone is encouraged to join the event, with registration available at https://www.bapscharities.org/usa/jackson/walkrun2024jacksonms/ . For a glimpse into the experience, view an example of a previous Walk-Runhttps://youtu.be/e-4s5QWHKpw?feature=shared More details about BAPS Charities can be found at www.bapscharities.org

In an effort to help busy parents gearing up for the new school year, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) will host a one-stop shop for required school entry/registration forms. This special two-week event will allow parents to get a copy of their child’s Form 121 (shot record) if the child is up to date on immunization requirements, as well as their birth certificate, at the same time and same place. Monday, July 29 – Friday, August 9 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. MSDH Office of Vital Records 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland (Off Highland Colony Parkway) Parents must provide the school with a Certificate of Immunization Compliance (Form 121) from their immunization provider prior to school entry. The child’s birth certificate is also required for school registration. During this One-Stop Shop event, the child’s Form 121 will be available for free if the child is up to date on immunization requirements. Certified copies can also be printed through www.MyIRMobile.com. Birth certificates will be available the same day for $17; each additional certified copy is $6. Mississippi state law requires children to be immunized against childhood diseases to enter public or private school, Head Start or daycare. There are also required immunizations for 7th grade entry. For more information on immunization requirements or exemptions for school entry, visit www.msdh.ms.gov/immunizations. Get up to date news and updates at: www.msdh.ms.gov.  and on social media: facebook.com/HealthyMS, twitter.com/msdh and Instagram.com/healthy.ms

By: Bob Garver The gruesome horror movie “Longlegs” pulled something of an upset at this past weekend’s domestic box office. It wasn’t enough to upset “Despicable Me 4” for the #1 spot, but it did do the best among new releases. Great reviews were seemingly enough to pull the family-unfriendly indie darling into the #2 spot and make it the only movie to pull in half of what “Despicable Me 4” made. And to all the critics whose diligent word of mouth turned this scrappy upstart into a surprise hit, I have to say: you must have seen a different “Longlegs” than I did, because the movie I saw was a joke. Maika Monroe stars as FBI agent Lee Harker. She’s super-intuitive to the point where neither she nor the Bureau can figure out if she’s psychic or just highly intelligent. Whatever the reason, she’s competent enough for veteran agent Carter (Blair Underwood) to put her on a high-profile case. They’re looking for a person of interest called Longlegs, connected to a series of family murders. The murders themselves are apparently committed by members of the respective families, but a cryptic, Satanic note attributed to Longlegs is always found at the scene. The mystery is, what’s Longlegs’ deal? Nicolas Cage plays Longlegs, who I’d describe as a cross between “Silence of the Lambs” villain Buffalo Bill and Michael Jackson. But not actually-convincingly-creepy “Thriller” Michael Jackson, but screechy, ultra-white, only-unintentionally-creepy Michael Jackson. But at least Buffalo Bill was able to behave somewhat normally in a few scenes so he could plausibly fool victims and authorities. Longlegs doesn’t have a single moment where he’s not a total wackaloon. I’m convinced the only reason this movie is set in the 90’s is because at any subsequent time, he’d be filmed on a phone and arrested - not for the murders, but for being a public nuisance. Some will say that he has to be taken seriously as a villain because of the gravity of the crimes in his vicinity, but even he knows he can’t be taken seriously and needs to find a way around it. It’s clear that Longlegs is either mentally ill or demon-possessed. The same can be said for Lee’s hoarder mother Ruth (Alicia Witt), as well as minor characters with direct connections to the case like scene-stealing survivor Carrie Anne (Kiernan Shipka). But I can’t for the life of me figure out why every actor in this movie has to play their part like a total weirdo. A crime lab specialist is quick to posit wild theories about a mysterious container. A mental hospital ward is so trusting that he doesn’t check ID’s on visitors. Even Lee is filled with quirks, like wanting nothing to do with Carter’s daughter Ruby (Ava Kelders, herself playing her part with distracting stiffness). The lack of social grace wasn’t funny when Dakota Johnson did it in “Madame Web” and it isn’t funny here. “Longlegs” would have worked better if more characters were played straight, so the odd ones would stand out more. Not that the odd ones don’t stand out, but they have to overcompensate, hamming up their performances to ridiculous levels. Director Osgood Perkins clearly told every cast member, “we like weird, people!” apparently forgetting that it was both subtle and broad strokes that made his father Anthony such a memorable horror villain in “Psycho.” Imagine if Norman Bates popped out in a dress in all his scenes instead of just one and you’ll understand my problem with “Longlegs.” The movie is effectively scary in some early scenes where we don’t quite know the enemy, but it loses that effectiveness when the enemy, along with too many other characters, proves to be phony and silly. Grade: C- “Longlegs” is rated R for bloody violence, disturbing images and some language. Its running time is 101 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

The Hinds County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Glenn McCullough, former Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), as its new Economic Development Advisor. This strategic collaboration underscores HCEDA’s commitment to driving economic growth and fostering robust partnerships within the state. Glenn McCullough brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success in economic development. As the Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority from 2015 to 2020, McCullough spearheaded numerous initiatives that led to record private capital investment and substantial job growth across Mississippi. McCullough played a key role in securing significant investments, including projects by Continental Tire, Relativity Space, and two Amazon fulfillment centers, which greatly enhanced Mississippi’s appeal as a top business location. Additionally, under the guidance of Governor Bryant and Director McCullough, Mississippi received unprecedented recognition with two silver and two gold shovels from Area Development Magazine. “We are thrilled to have Glenn McCullough as our Economic Development Advisor,” said Jason Owens, Chair of the HCEDA Board. “His extensive experience and visionary leadership will be invaluable as we work with state partners to attract new businesses, support existing ones, and enhance the economic prosperity of Hinds County.” McCullough’s career is marked by significant achievements, including his tenure as Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority, where he played a critical role in launching the megasite program that attracted major manufacturers to the region. His involvement with the Appalachian Regional Commission further highlights his expertise in fostering economic development and infrastructure improvement across multiple states. “I am honored to join HCEDA and contribute to the economic vitality of Hinds County,” said McCullough. “I look forward to collaborating with local and state leaders to create opportunities that benefit our communities and drive sustainable growth.” This appointment reaffirms HCEDA’s commitment to being open for business and working diligently with state and local partners to ensure a thriving economic environment. The authority is dedicated to leveraging McCullough’s expertise to advance its mission and attract new investments to the region.

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) is proud to announce the launch off the Mental Health Mississippi mobile app, an innovative and user-friendly tool designed to provide Mississippians with immediate access to mental health resources and support. This mobile app is a continuing step in DMH's commitment to enhancing access to mental health services and improving wellness throughout the state. The Mental Health Mississippi app offers a wide range of features and resources to help users navigate mental health services, including: Resource Directory: Easily search for mental health service providers, including counseling, crisis intervention, and substance abuse treatment, across Mississippi. Interactive Map: Mississippians can use the map to find services in their county of residence. Crisis Support: Access immediate crisis intervention resources, including 24/7 hotlines and emergency services. Educational Materials: Learn about various mental health conditions, treatment options, and wellness strategies through comprehensive articles and guides. Crisis Resources: Resources are available in the app for crisis situations, including Mobile Crisis Response Teams, crisis lifelines, and Crisis Stabilization Units. Wendy Bailey, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, emphasized the importance of making mental health resources more accessible to all Mississippians. "The Mental Health Mississippi mobile app represents a significant advancement in our efforts to support mental health and wellness in our state. By providing easy access to essential resources and support, we hope to empower individuals to take control of their mental health and seek the help they need." The launch of the Mental Health Mississippi app comes at a critical time, as the need for mental health support continues to grow. The app is designed to be a comprehensive, user-friendly resource for individuals, families, and communities seeking mental health information and services. The app is available at no cost on the Apple App Store for iPhone and the Google Play Store for Android. The Mental Health Mississippi web site can also be reached at www.mentalhealthms.com.

If you see it, you can never unsee it. You hear it, it’s in your memory bank forever. Unless it’s the phone number to the pediatrician when your kid is running a 102 temp at midnight. But usually, everything you see and hear becomes part of you – good and bad. Kind of a scary, intimidating fact. Everything you experience while living on this earth is in your brain. And subtly, or not so subtly, it influences how you view life and interact with others. A fact worth remembering when you are looking for a late-night movie to watch. Maybe at six years old you witnessed a bad wreck unfold in front of you, with bodies flung everywhere. Or, at ten years old you accidentally walked into the path of a strung-out junkie, who thought you were a monstrous purple spider and wanted to stomp you out of existence. Maybe in adulthood your marriage disintegrated and eventually became much like the material of violent movies. Those kinds of memories never totally evaporate. It’s all there inside of your head, influencing you and your behavior. But at this point in all this blood, guts, and gore, I will toss in a tiny bone. Some positive possibilities can come with trauma, if that trauma is handled with wisdom and compassion. The six-year-old who saw the terrible wreck, and was wisely given the opportunity to talk about what he saw and how it makes him feel, has a much better chance of dealing with that trauma successfully. Yes, he still saw the horrible accident, but trauma expressed verbally doesn’t have such an opportunity to hide in the closet and terrorize the child for years on end. And yes, the ten-year-old-purple-monster-spider is likely scared to death of walking alone for a long time. But on the flip side, for the rest of her life she will carry a strong impression of what illicit drug use could do to her brain. A strong deterrent if there ever was one. And with some compassionate counsel, she will be able to walk on. Like I said earlier, at least a tiny bone. Remember the little song from being in church as a child, “Oh, be careful little eyes what you see?” Such an innocent little song. Probably makes many of you adults feel absolutely silly even reading a column based on it. But the truth from it can’t be ignored. What you experience in life, the good and the bad, becomes part of you. Realizing that, you would be really smart to make a strong effort to monitor everything that enters your body through your eyes, your ears, and your brain.  Because everything that comes into you through those gateways isn’t always great and wonderful. And even if you wisely seek out help with the traumatic events, they still end up coloring your emotions to a large degree. Then you have to live with the ramifications, until the day you quit breathing.

By: Gary Pettus, UMMC\ For the dozens of people screened recently for skin cancer at a University of Mississippi Medical Center clinic, the checkups were free — and priceless. At UMMC Grants Ferry in Flowood, around 115 people were evaluated one day in May, during Skin Cancer Awareness Month; among them, screeners found 69 cases of skin cancer or pre-cancerous conditions. The very first person examined showed signs of the deadliest skin cancer of all: melanoma. That, and the fact that another 68 cases were discovered, underlines the value of early detection, said Dr. Stephen Helms, professor of dermatology at UMMC. “When we find a case of cancer or pre-cancer, we give the person a list of dermatologists to see in the area, if they don’t already have one. “We do recommend that they make an appointment for a biopsy pretty soon, especially for melanoma; you don’t want to put it off.” A biopsy is a procedure to remove a portion of a suspicious area for closer examination or to completely remove the abnormal mass, or tumor, as a potential cure for certain types of skin cancer. Laura Beth Puhr, LPN, supervisor of clinic operations for dermatology at UMMC, said the nearly six dozen cases detected last month break down this way: Actinic keratoses: 50 – Untreated, this pre-cancerous condition can turn into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Non-melanoma skin cancers: 17 – These include squamous cell carcinoma, “which can metastasize and can be very aggressive,” Helms said, and basal cell carcinoma, which accounts for about 75-80% of skin cancer cases and which can also be destructive and disfiguring if left untreated. Dysplastic (or atypical) nevi: 1 – A type of mole that looks different from a common mole, including in size, shape and color, a dysplastic nevus rarely turns into melanoma, but the greater the number and size of nevi, the greater the risk. Melanoma: 1 – It causes most skin cancer deaths, Helms said. More than 100,000 cases of this disease will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, and more than 8,000 people are expected to die from it, reports the American Cancer Society. Melanoma can be harder to cure than other forms, but if caught early and treated, the task becomes easier and death is less likely to follow. Held every year, the Grants Ferry screening event is sponsored by the Department of Dermatology at UMMC in partnership with the American Academy of Dermatology and the Women’s Dermatologic Society. “Our department is very appreciative for all of the people who help us with this every year and who volunteer,” Helms said. Some 50 or so UMMC nurses, physicians, staff members, students and other volunteers pitched in at Grants Ferry for this year’s screenings, organized by Helms, Dr. Amy Flischel, associate professor of dermatology; Dr. Thy Huynh, assistant professor of dermatology; Dr. Hannah McCowan, a preliminary medicine resident at UMMC; Walton Mallette, director of ambulatory operations for UPA Dermatology Administration; and Puhr. “We’ve always had a great turnout for the screening event,” Puhr said. “Usually, detection is early enough that we can get treatment for the patient so they don’t have to worry about it. Some people who come in may have a family history of skin cancer. Others come in with spots on their skin that they are concerned about.” One in five people in the U.S. will develop skin cancer, the most common cancer in the U.S., the American Academy of Dermatology reports. “Usually, if you find a basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma early, it’s not going to spread the way melanoma will,” Puhr said. “Which is why these screenings are so important.” For patients with these non-melanoma cancers, physicians recommend that they get them removed within a month or so, she said. “But we don’t wait on melanoma. It’s done as soon as possible.” Melanoma may even show up on unexposed areas of the body – such as the bottom of a foot, Helms said. “And it’s more likely to spread to other parts of the body compared to other forms of skin cancer. “Clearly, one of the causes related to skin cancer is exposure to sunlight, which is more intense from 10 a.m. to around 3 or 4 p.m.,” Helms said. “It’s more likely to damage lighter skin, but cancer is found in darker skin as well. “People should try to avoid overexposure. Outdoors, they should wear a hat and light-colored clothing and cover up.” And use sunscreen, Helms said. “It should be applied about half an hour before exposure to the sun. There are chemical sunscreens that absorb the bad UV rays and release them from the body. The others are physical sun blockers with ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. “It’s best to use a SPF [Sun Protection Factor] of 30 or greater.” People who come by Grants Ferry for a screening receive samples of sunscreen and instructions on protecting skin from sunlight, Puhr said. “We also ask them to avoid tanning beds.” UMMC offers skin cancer screenings and/or dermatologic services elsewhere, including those for underserved patients. Among them is the monthly Mississippi Delta Rolling Fork High School Dermatology Clinic for rural patients. The Jackson Free Clinic, 925 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Jackson, run by student volunteers, schedules free dermatologic services for patients once every three months. Even if you’ve never had skin cancer, a yearly screening is prudent, Puhr said. For those who have been treated for skin cancer, the recommendation is a screening every three months afterward for the first year. If no cancer is discovered, the checkups come less frequently, but at least once a year. In the meantime, you should also check yourself, Helms said. “Look for bleeding lesions or pigmented lesions or moles that are growing or changing color.” For guidance, use the ABCDE test when scrutinizing a mole, he said: Asymmetry – If the shape isn’t symmetrical, or uniform, this is a warning sign. Border – Look for a mole with an irregular border – jagged, uneven, etc. Color – If the mole has more than one color or shade, it may be cancerous. Diameter – A span of more than a quarter of an inch – about the size of a pencil eraser – is another red flag. Evolution – When a spot is changing in size, shape or color, or bleeds or becomes itchy or painful, it’s time to see a dermatologist. In fact, if any of these signs appear, Helms said, see a dermatologist soon. To schedule an appointment with a dermatology provider at UMMC, call 601-815-3374 or go online here.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is inviting high school juniors and seniors interested in health care careers to visit the campus on Saturday, August 24 for Exploring Health Care Pathways. The one-day enrichment event, which is free, will run from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the UMMC School of Medicine, with check-in starting at 8 a.m. It offers 11th and 12th graders across Mississippi the opportunity to learn more about health care professions from faculty, staff, and students representing UMMC’s various health science schools. They will discuss information about admission requirements, educational background for each program and opportunities for scholarships. Students will be provided with breakfast and lunch. They may click on this link to sign up. Space is limited to the first 250 registrants. “We are eager to welcome students to this valuable program and to foster their interest in a future serving our rural communities’ primary health care needs,” said Dr. Dan Coleman, director of outreach in the UMMC School of Medicine. Exploring Health Care Pathways is the creation of the Office of Admissions and the Improving Primary Care for the Rural Community through Medical Education (IMPACT the RACE) Program at UMMC. For more information, call (601) 984-5010 or contact the program at Impacttherace@umc.edu.

By: Kara Kimbrough Elements of home in the form of Mississippi State University alum Dak Prescott’s large presence in the Dallas Cowboys’ world headquarters in Frisco, Texas, and hearing stories about Jackson native LeAnn Rimes’ formative years in nearby Garland added special touches to the final part of a recent trip to Texas. Additionally, enjoying world-class cuisine, including exceptional Texas barbecue; a shopping mecca attached to my hotel and slipping into a private room filled with rare books were unforgettable experiences. First, a stop in Garland set the tone for 36 hours in Frisco. Known as “Cowboy Hat Capital of Texas,” the “Pho Real Trail" is another big draw. Pho (pronounced “fuh”) is a Vietnamese soup made of broth, rice noodles and sliced beef. Pho fans can visit 18 small, locally owned businesses on the trail. Sampling Texas-size bowls of pho at 286 Noodle House was the perfect fuel as we set off for adventures in nearby Frisco. Upon arrival with other travel writers, I quickly learned Frisco is a mecca of premier sports venues. These include The Star, ice hockey, basketball and baseball arenas and championship golf at Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Training Center. PGA’s impressive headquarters opened on the grounds in 2022; unlike adjacent facilities in the complex, this building is not open to the public. There’s so much to see and do in Frisco, named at or near the top of international and national “best of” lists, including safe place to visit and best place to live. It’s impossible to list all the interesting aspects of one of Texas' fastest-growing cities located less than 30 miles from Dallas. Instead, here’s a brief recap of my favorite things about Frisco: Dining – A delicious pancake breakfast at Ryder Cup in the Fields Ranch Clubhouse at PGA Frisco was followed by lunch at family-owned Hutchins BBQ. Thick and juicy ribs were sliced before my eyes, then paired with some of the best sides I’d ever tasted. This hearty meal adequately satisfied my desire for authentic Texas ‘que. That evening, upscale Frisco eatery J. Theodore featured some of my favorite things: a built-in coffee bar, bakery and books. Rare Books, a hidden speakeasy/bar, requires a literary phrase password to enter through the sliding bookcase wall. Two favorite appetizers - truffle parm fries and crispy Brussel sprouts - set the stage for dinner; a delectable serving of, you guessed it, my favorite grilled chicken pesto pasta. Books, books…I was impressed to learn Frisco loves its books. Besides the Rare Books room, touring the cavernous Frisco Public Library, built in a former rocket parts factory, and finding a satellite library branch just off the lobby of the Hyatt Regency were trip highlights. The Star – A tour of the 91-acre campus of the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters and practice facility should be on everyone’s bucket list. The Star features displays of players’ and cheerleaders’ uniforms through the years; Super Bowl trophies and rings and the outdoor practice field. There’s also the Ford Center, a12,000-seat indoor athletic facility shared by the Cowboys, City of Frisco, and Frisco ISD’s 12 high schools. The state-of-the art Ford Center was the site of this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards. Last, seeing Cowboys quarterback Prescott's recognition as a recipient of the prestigious Walter Payton (another beloved Mississippian) Award for advocating mental health and cancer research was icing on the cake. Stay and shop - A short walkway connects Frisco's Hyatt Regency to the Stonebriar Centre filled with 208 retail stores and restaurants.  There’s also indoor skydiving, a movie theatre and the nation’s only KidZania. This one-of-a-kind “city” is built entirely for kids and allows them to experience careers ranging from firefighting to medicine. Thirty-six hours was not enough time to explore this amazing city; a return trip is definitely necessary. In the meantime, I’ll have memories, hundreds of photos and a recipe based, as much as I could remember (and with a few tips from the restaurant) of the delicious cole slaw at Hutchins BBQ. Hutchins BBQ Copycat Slaw 1 cup Miracle Whip 1/2 cup granulated sugar ½ cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/2 teaspoon celery salt 1/4 cup yellow onion (very finely chopped) 8 cups cabbage (finely chopped) 2 carrots, shredded or finely chopped In a large bowl combine oil, vinegar and sugar. Add in onions and celery salt. Stir in Miracle Whip. Toss the cabbage and carrots together. Pour the dressing over the cabbage and carrots, stir well. Add additional toppings and seasonings to taste. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours before serving for the best result. Drain excess liquid and serve! Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

By Mika Hartman Hudson is my hero; however, you don’t need superpowers to sense other people’s emotions or need a power to tell you what someone else might be thinking or feeling. It’s called “empathy”. Some have these senses more than others. It took me being a momma to a child with special needs to truly have my power to see it, or not, in others so clearly. If your child fell and scraped their knee, you would likely tell them that you know it hurts. That you are sorry. You would probably blow on it, kiss it, make it feel better. You would let them know that you can feel that pain, too. It’s not sympathy, it’s empathy that they need. My child does not need your sympathy or your turned cheek when he’s hurting. He is just like every other child that needs love and reassurance that he will be okay. When you don’t try and imagine what he is feeling or thinking, you are not seeing him. This “empathy” word has been weighing heavily on me lately. I can give everything Hudson needs to live, be happy, provide comfort, communicate and embrace who Hudson was born to be… but many others can’t or won’t. So my efforts become limited to only a few who can understand how Hudson feels, communicate with him, see him and accept him. If you don’t have empathy, how will you inspire my hero to shine his brightest. Hudson will fall. He will struggle to show you when his iPad is dead or malfunctioning. He will cry out when his tummy hurts. He will grab snacks and shake the bag until you open it to give hime some. He will cry and you will have to guess until you figure it out… that is, if you figure it out. I have never prayed for Hudson to be different than who he was born to be. I wouldn’t change one hair on his head or one extra beautiful feature he was gifted; however, I did pray recently, for the first time, that he could one day be able to use some words. I was snuggling with Hudson as I was praying this; the tears of guilt for even asking made his head look like he just got out of the pool. Why was this my prayer? If I don’t want to change Hudson at all, why ask for this? Well… We recently were hit with the whole house stomach bug. It was brutal and ongoing, not the 24 hour kind. Hudson usually picks up every illness he comes across; he does’t have a great immune system and he loves to lick his hands, too. When your chid hurts like this and he can’t tell you what he needs, you feel completely helpless. As his mom, I can communicate pretty well… unless he is sick. Then it is truly try and try again. Hudson can’t tell me if his sock isn’t on correctly. He can’t tell me what hurts or if he stubbed his toe. Hudson can’t tell me he’s hot or cold. He can’t share if his head hurts or if he put a lego up his nose (this hasn’t happened, thankfully). This list goes on and on. Unless it’s a visible need, it might go unnoticed and this part kills me. I live with constant worry that I have missed something. Hudson might never talk. He might never get to tell me that he loves me using his voice. Even though he can’t use words yet, he does a wonderful job showing me how much he loves his life. It’s seen in his giggles, in smiles and definitely felt in his powerful kisses. His joy can be seen without words. I am finding a lot of the world desensitized to having empathy; it is a very selfish time today. Taking time to look at someone and guess what they might be thinking or feeling takes little effort, but many don’t outside of their own lives. I have watched moms on this journey struggle to carry the heavy that can be felt in daily life. I always thought that that would never be me, that I would carry it differently; my shoulders can’t afford chips if I want to carry this load the distance for Hudson. I don’t want your sympathy either. Empathy of warmth and compassion would go a long way. A better understanding of why I might decline an invitation to something; I want to go and love being invited, it might just not work. Or assuming I won’t come and therefore not even asking. Or if you change a date or time and I forget, my mental capacity is maxed out most days. Grace is always good for moms like me. The opposite of empathy is callous, heartless, inhuman, hard, insensitive, indifferent, and inhumane. When a mom is trying to be present in her world, change the world and not be angry at the world, see her. Know that you would deserve someone seeing you, experiencing your pain and joy, if you needed them to. Empathy is heartbreaking, but it makes us human. The one word describing empathy I don’t want is your pity. My life is one you may never experience and for that, I have EXTRA empathy that you’ll never know a love that I have.

By Bob Garver For a franchise that has been fairly consistent with its style of PG animated humor, the “Despicable Me” movies are kind of all over the place for me. I couldn’t stand the first one, loved the second one, thought the first “Minions” spinoff had its moments, felt the shtick was stale for the third one, and was pleasantly surprised by the second “Minions.” Now comes the fourth entry chronologically from the first, the sixth in the series overall. Unfortunately, I found this one to be on the lower end of the spectrum. It didn’t send me into a days-long depression over the state of family entertainment like the original did, but it is quite possibly the worst since the first. The new movie finds reformed supervillain Gru (Steve Carell, his Eastern-European accent as grating as ever) at odds with his old high school rival, the coackroach-obsessed Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell). The very idea of a high school for aspiring supervillains is cooler than anything onscreen here, and since this series likes to do prequels, it might be a good idea to set one there. Gru and his new colleagues in the Anti-Villain League are able to imprison Maxime, but he escapes and vows revenge on Gru and his family, especially his new baby. The family is forced to go into hiding, and everybody has little B-stories where they try to start a new life in a posh neighborhood under new identities. Wife Lucy (Kristen Wiig) tries to become a hairdresser with disastrous results. Middle daughter Edith (Dana Gaier) stands up for little sister Agnes (Madison Polan) at karate class. Oldest daughter Margot (Miranda Cosgrove)… gets about three lines. Gru tries to endear himself to his snooty neighbor (Steven Colbert), but ends up getting blackmailed into pulling a heist with the neighbor’s aspiring-villain daughter Poppy (Joey King). The movie could have had a more positive message by having Gru teach Poppy that a life of villainy is not the way to go, but no, she’s validated and wants to be a supervillain as much as ever by the film’s end. The Minions (all voiced by Pierre Coffin) get their own subplot where some of them are given superpowers by AVL boss Ramsbottom (Steve Coogan). This thread doesn’t work for me because the Minions were already non-human without many physical limitations anyway, so giving them superpowers just seems like a lateral move. Example: one of them gets the power to stretch. Okay, but another Minion, one that isn’t given superpowers, gets stuffed into a vending machine and spends the entire movie living there. Seems to me the Minions were pretty stretchy already. Almost all of the spoken jokes are terrible – painful, even. I think there was a logic that if Carell and Ferrell (or Carell/Colbert) were just allowed to be in a scene together, the chemistry they’ve shown in other projects would just punch up the material automatically. There was admittedly something of a precedent for this, as Carell’s chemistry with longtime collaborator Alan Arkin did elevate the last “Minions” movie, but that’s not the case here. This isn’t a rewarding reunion of Ron Burgandy and Brick Tamland. Nor does the movie capitalize on the potential for a Gru/Megamind crossover, even though both characters starred in 2010 animated movies about supervillains turning their lives around. “Despicable Me 4” is too innocuous to make me truly mad, and the animation is as bouncy and pleasing as ever. The new baby is undeniably adorable and I thought the visual physical gags hit at an agreeable rate. A wheelchair equipped with monster truck tires got me giggling, I’ll admit it. But it’s clear that very little attention was given to the script, and characters and storylines are underdeveloped even for the low bar I have for this series. I seriously doubt that this movie is going to turn any fans off of the “Despicable Me”/”Minions” franchise, but I even more seriously doubt that it’s going to turn around anybody that wasn’t a fan already. Grade: C- “Despicable Me 4” is rated PG for action and rude humor. Its running time is 95 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.